Abstract

Biocompatible composite coatings are produced from solution processable poly(vinylidene fluoride)/cyanoacrylate blends prepared in the presence of rosin and ZnO particle fillers, the latter for control of coating surface microstructure. Dispersions are spray coated and cured at onto aluminum foils and fiberglass cloths suitable for tissue engineering applications. The elastic modulus of the composite films matches or exceeds that of polyethylene-based orthopedic implant materials. Contact angle measurements on coated fiberglass cloths reveal that wettability of hydrophobic coatings is maintained under strain for applied mechanical stress levels up to , whereas ultrahydrophobic coatings fail at .